Government Relations Assistant

This posting is open to all qualified candidates

Join our team dedicated to ensuring clean water for generations to come With over 800 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, WTD is at the forefront of environmental stewardship. Success for us means upholding our legacy while promising future generations a pristine environment. We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection. We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2 million residents. Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region. If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to safeguard our precious water resources.

About the Role:

This position will serve as the government relations assistant for the Government Relations team in the Director's Office of the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD). This position will serve as the primary staff support for the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC) and its subcommittees. This position will work closely with WTD staff to ensure the timely submittal of legislative packages and briefing materials to MWPAAC and the King County Council, including the Regional Water Quality Committee. This position will also support external engagement efforts with WTD's local public agency partners.

About the Team:

The WTD Government Relations team is responsible for supporting relationships, coordinating interactions and navigating complex policy and political landscapes between the Division, Executive's Office, the King County Council and its committees, MWPAAC and its subcommittees, and state and federal regulatory agencies and elected officials.

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:

King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a Government Relations Assistant, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at

Apply now for a rewarding career at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Serve as primary staff support for the Metropolitan Water Pollution Abatement Advisory Committee (MWPAAC), an advisory committee to the Division, to include but not limited to:
• Maintain calendar for Executive Board meetings/retreats, general meeting, subcommittee meetings, and tours
• Staff monthly general and subcommittee meetings
• Review, finalize, and send out meeting materials
• Prepare general meeting summary
• Finalize approved MWPAAC correspondence
• Send correspondence on behalf of the MWPAAC Chair to the King County Executive and King County Council
• Maintain member representative list and request updates
• Request updates to MWPAAC webpages
• Coordinate review and ensure timely submittal of legislative packages for transmittal to the King County Council.
• Draft and refine informational materials, briefing documents, and PowerPoints for external engagement.
• Coordinate review/comment processes for responses to Council and partner agencies.
• Draft external correspondence for supervisor or management.
• Draft and/or coordinate responses to constituent inquiries related to programs or projects.
• Gather and analyze information.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in business, public administration, public affairs, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Proficient to advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite including Word and PowerPoint, use of general office equipment.?
• Strong organization and time management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong proofreading skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills to support internal collaboration and external engagement efforts.

Competencies You Bring:

Balances Stakeholders: Anticipating and balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Optimizes Work Processes: Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.

Situational Adaptability: Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.

Organizational Savvy: Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related organizational dynamics.

Collaborates: Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Working Conditions:

• Remote and Onsite Work Details: Employees in this role work remotely from a home location, with onsite reporting requirements typically monthly 1-5 times. The frequency of onsite work is determined by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly. Onsite reporting locations may be at various King County worksites including the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA This work arrangement promotes work-life-balance and reduces carbon footprint under the department's vision of Green Where We Work.
• Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is non-exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is overtime eligible.
• Union Representation: This position is not represented by a union

Application and Selection Process:

We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives, and life experience, and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness, and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment:

Technical Vetting: Virtual via MS Teams tentative week of 12/1

Interview: Virtual interview tentative week of 12/8 with a meet and greet after interviews with top candidates before final decision

To apply, submit a:

• Complete Application
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Complete Supplemental Questions

Note: Additional documents will not be considered during minimum qualification screening.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:

Dan Sherman

HR Analyst

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube and our WTD Blog.

Discover More About DNRP: Visit our website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play. Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

To Apply

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.